The government is formulating a draft framework to help counties fight violent extremism in the country by domesticating the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Principal Secretary (PS) in the State Department for Internal Security and National Administration Dr. Raymond Omollo has revealed.
Dr. Omollo said the model Prevention of Violent Extremism Bill, which will be implemented by counties after tailoring it to their security-specific needs, aims to mainstream funding for prevention strategies across existing county programs and policies while ensuring alignment with the National Strategy to Counter Violent Extremism (2016).
Already three counties, namely Nairobi, Nyeri, and Laikipia, are implementing provisions in the bill on a pilot basis.
“The Government of Kenya, through the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), is in the early stages of embedding Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) interventions into broader development priorities at both national and county levels.
However, challenges such as low uptake and limited funding of prevention interventions by various stakeholders, including county governments, still persist,” Dr. Omollo noted.
The PS stated that in addition to its structural benefits, the Bill will also provide an avenue for building public trust in national security organs, adding that mistrust and fear by members of the public have often hindered cooperation between communities and security agencies, limiting the effectiveness of counter-terrorism measures; hence the mooted model Bill seeks to create better engagement between the communities, civil society, and county governments.
“The Bill also seeks to bring a sense of shared responsibility, encouraging citizens to view national security organs as partners in ensuring their safety and well-being and ensuring sustainability and providing a clear framework for counties to allocate resources and engage key stakeholders in funding prevention and counter-violent extremism programs.”
Dr. Omollo was speaking during a workshop on the prevention of violent extremism model bill for county governments in Naivasha. The workshop was attended by public sector representatives, development partners, and civil society stakeholders.
The workshop aims to develop a Prevention of Violent Extremism County Bill (2024), a model bill that will be shared with all counties for review and eventual adoption.
Discussions on the Bill in Naivasha were sponsored by the National Counterterrorism Centre in collaboration with the Council of Governors (COG), the County and Service Forum, private sector partners, and other stakeholders.
“We are committed to enhancing Kenya’s safety by not only reducing incidents of violent extremism but also establishing tangible commitments to prevent future occurrences,” PS Omollo said.
Dr. Omollo said for decades, about 13 counties in the country have suffered perennial instability due to the proliferation of illegal arms among criminals engaging in livestock theft and banditry, mostly fuelled by outdated cultural practices, while counties, especially at the coast and in the North, have witnessed attacks by terrorists from across the border and banditry leading to loss of lives and property, thus affecting the economy, which heavily depends on tourism.
“North Eastern and Coastal regions remain the most vulnerable, but incidents have been minimised in recent years. Notable cases, such as the Shakahola tragedy in Kilifi County, which claimed over 400 lives, continue to be under investigation,” Dr. Omollo said.
The PS further noted that several Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) attacks have been carried out along the border counties of the northeastern region and Lamu, targeting security convoys and telecommunication masts. These incidents, he said, demonstrate the evolving strategies of extremist groups and their sustained efforts to undermine our national security.
Dr. Omollo, however, reiterated that the government has made significant progress in curbing banditry in the North Rift counties and added that while national security is primarily a responsibility of the national government, counties play a crucial role as insecurity directly impacts them; hence the Bill will seek to address legal gaps, streamline funding for security measures, and combat the persistent threats of terrorism and violent extremism.
Commenting on the security situation during the oncoming festivities, Dr. Omollo urged Kenyans to remain vigilant against accidents and other vices that accompany the season and work very closely with security officers by reporting any suspicious activity while assuring the country that adequate security measures are in place to protect the nation over the season.
“Terrorism and violent extremism, whether religious or cultural, continue to pose significant threats to the peace and security of Kenya and the global community. Over the past two years, we have conducted a comprehensive assessment of our national security threats, identifying five major concerns. First among these is the fight against terrorism, which remains the primary existential threat to our nation’s stability,” Dr. Omollo stated.
He said security agencies have thwarted numerous planned attacks, adding the threat is very much alive and security organs remain vigilant, ensuring that our nation does not provide any haven for terrorist or violent extremist activities.
“While collaborating with the Kenya Defense Forces along our borders and beyond, we have effectively detected and deterred threats, and we take pride in the sustained gains achieved in our war against terror,” Dr. Omollo remarked.
Director of the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Kibiego Kigen, commended Nairobi, Nyeri, and Laikipia counties for their proactive support in advancing the Prevention of Violent Extremism (PVE) model bill.
Their commitment, he said, demonstrates a growing recognition of the importance of localised efforts in countering terrorism and violent extremism.
Kigen acknowledged the persistent threat posed by terror and extremist groups, which continue to adapt and leverage advanced technologies to spread their ideologies and recruit new members.
He added that the move underscores the critical need for a community-centred approach, where residents, local leaders, and security agencies collaborate to combat these threats effectively.
To strengthen this effort, the Counter Terrorism Director said NCTC has partnered with the Council of Governors and the County Assembly Forum (CAF) to support the adoption of the PVE model Bill.
This partnership, Kigen said, is aimed at addressing the root causes of terrorism and ensuring that counties have a legislative framework to implement preventive measures, promote peace, and enhance security at the grassroots level.
County Assemblies Forum CEO Lorna Losem reiterated their commitment to lobbying for the bill’s enactment across all counties.
Losem reassured stakeholders that CAF would continue to champion the cause to ensure widespread adoption and implementation.
This initiative reflects a multi-stakeholder approach, integrating national and county-level efforts to enhance resilience against violent extremism, foster community engagement, and build a safer, more secure environment for all Kenyans.
Since August 1998, when Kenya faced the first-ever major terrorist attack after bombers attacked the United States (US) Embassy in Nairobi, killing 200 people, the country has experienced a series of terror attacks over the past years, primarily attributed to groups like Al-Shabaab. These attacks have significantly impacted the country’s security, economy, and social fabric.
Some of the attacks include the Garissa University Attack in April 2015, where Al-Shabaab militia killed 148 students, and the Dusit-2 Hotel attack, which claimed the lives of 21 people, among other attacks.
Other low-key attacks have been staged by terror agents, including planting IED explosions, bus ambushes, and attacks on police stations, especially in Kenya’s northeastern region near the Somali border.
Key factors aiding terrorism in Kenya include geographic proximity to Somalia: Al-Shabaab, based in Somalia, often crosses the porous border, and the Kenyan Military Involvement in Somalia: Since 2011, Kenya’s military intervention in Somalia (Operation Linda Nchi) has made it a target for Al-Shabaab.
The government formed the National Counterterrorism Centre (NCTC) in 2004 as a response to escalating terrorist threats, particularly after the 2002 Mombasa attacks.
Initially formed under the Ministry of Defence, it was later restructured under the Office of the President for better coordination and oversight.
The mandate of the National Counterterrorism Centre includes the formulation, development, and coordination of policies to counter terrorism that are in line with strategies and policies of the national and international frameworks, among others.
By Mabel Keya – Shikuku and Erastus Gichohi
